The amount of plastic waste generated across the globe has doubled over the past 20 years, Global Plastics Outlook has revealed.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) maiden Global Plastics Outlook, increase in human population and income levels are key drivers of rising plastic usage.
The Outlook says innovative design approaches and effective regulation of chemicals use in plastic products is crucial in the fight against plastic waste, considering the current global plastic production value chain and trade.
Ahead of the UN talks on international action on plastic waste, the Outlook recommended international approach be adopted plastic waste management.
Global Plastics Outlook said an estimated 25 billion Euros funding is needed annually to help improve waste management infrastructure in low and middle-income counties.
Plastic Generation:
The major cause plastic pollution emanate from poor and disposal and inefficient collection and recycle of larger plastic debris.
Global plastic production rised from 234 million metric tonnes (MT) in 2000 to 460 metric tonnes (MT) 2019, increasing plastic waste by more than half.
Plastics with less than five years life span account for nearly two-thirds of the global figure.
The OECD countries generate more than half of the global plastic waste.
About 40% of this come from packaging, 12% consumer goods and 11% from clothing and textiles etc.
The annual average plastic waste generation per capita in OECD countries such as the US and Europe ranges between 221 kg and 114 kg, whilst Japan and Korea contribute an average of 69 kg per capita respectively.
Consumption:
Global plastic consumption over the past 30 years has increased fourfold as a result of emerging market growth.
Production has also doubled reaching 460 million tonnes in 2019, accounting for 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Global Plastics Outlook reports that, worldwide use of the chemical waste dropped by 2.2% in 2020.
This largely is attributed to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on global economic activities in the said year.
However, littering from packaged foods and plastic medical equipment such as masks increased considerably.
Plastic consumption bounced back in 2021 along with economic activities recovery.
Recycling and leakages:
According to the maiden report, the OECD is responsible for almost half of global plastic waste generation and 14 percent overall global leakage.
The report said only 9% of plastic waste collected is recycled successively. The rest is either disposed as residues, incinerated or burnt.
Almost 50% of the material either end up in landfill sites, uncontrolled dumpsites or terrestrial and aquatic environment.
The report estimates that global seas and rivers are polluted with about 30 and 109 metric tonnes plastics waste respectively.
Major plastic pollution comes from inadequate collection and indiscriminate disposal of larger plastic debris.
Leakages of microplastics smaller industrial plastic pellets, synthetic textiles, worn-out tyres among others are also of serious concern.
The way forward in plastic management:
Global Plastics Outlook said policies to control plastic waste disposal in order to prevent leakage and its impact on the environment are not effective.
The Global Plastics Outlook opined that international co-operation and action are required to be able to reduce pollution from plastics.
This, the OECD noted can be achieved through improved investments in profitable and competitive secondary recycling markets technologies.
The Outlook called on international agencies to consider supporting low and middle income countries in the management of their waste to minimise environmental leakages
It called on governments of various countries to adopt strict enforcement of ban and taxes on single-use plastics.
The Outlook emphasized the need to create enabling plastic recycle market as alternative to “virgin plastic’’.
The Global Plastics Outlook is the first report by the Organisation for Co-operation and Development that takes comprehensive stock of global plastic production and its negative impact on the environment.
